show ad

How a lie-in could raise your risk of dementia: Lounging in bed too often 'can speed up memory loss'
By Pat Hagan PUBLISHED: 00:57 GMT, 5 October 2013 | UPDATED: 08:54 GMT, 5 October 2013

14 shares 33 View comments

An extra hour or two spent lounging around in bed is just the kind of treat that makes weekends special. But according to a study, too many lie-ins could speed up memory loss and possibly increase the risk of dementia. A team of researchers carried out a three-year study of 2,700 people aged in their sixties and seventies.

Spending an extra hour or two lounging around in bed could speed up memory loss and possibly increase the risk of dementia

At the beginning of the investigation, each one was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) a test designed to assess changes in brain function. During the subsequent three years, patients kept detailed records of their sleeping patterns. These revealed that 49 per cent were normal sleepers, getting six to eight hours a night, and 40 per cent were long sleepers totalling more than nine hours a night. The remainder averaged five hours or less. At the end of the experiment, the volunteers took the MMSE test again. All three groups got lower scores than they had done three years earlier.

A team of researchers carried out a three-year study of 2,700 people aged in their 60s and 70s (file picture)

But the decline in brain function was greatest in the long sleepers almost double that of the people getting six to eight hours sleep a night. In a report on their findings, the researchers from the University Hospital in Madrid and Columbia University in New York said: The difference between long and normal sleepers was significant. Their scores declined more rapidly. Dr Doug Brown, of the Alzheimers Society, said: This research suggests that the length of time you sleep and cognitive health might be linked. But further studies are needed to understand whether sleep duration is a cause or effect of cognitive decline.

MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS

Previous 1 2 3 Next

Guests perform sex in a box on TV show

Alcoholic Come Dine With Me Contestant stumbles through show

Dog determined to make friends with boy with Down syndrome

Shocking video of Sudanese woman being flogged

Mother plans to boost bra size to triple-Q

CCTV: Postal worker's unusual delivery method

Mini-skirt ban prompts naked protest by Hungarian students

Lindsey Vonn puts a live squirrel on Tiger Woods

US CAPITOL SHOOTING: Moment police draw guns on driver

CCTV: Moment drunk mother charged with killing four-year-old...

Firefighters destroy nests as hornets kill 41 people in ...

Cadbury looses purple rights- despite using colour for 100...

MOST READ NEWS

Previous 1 2 3 Next

The White Widow's 'Jihadi children': Secret diary of...

Tragedy as Come Dine With Me's 'best ever' contestant 'kills...

Was Maddie abducted by burglars she disturbed at holiday...

The Devon cult that canes tiny children to 'cleanse their...

She revealed she aborted his baby. Now Simon's terrified...

What a difference three years makes: How political...

'I miss having chemo now I'm clear of cancer':...

Mini-skirt ban at Hungary university prompts female students...

Now one council house in ten goes to migrants as Tories...

Now pay into the nanny's pension: Middle-class parents face...

Tattooist fined 300 for leaving hairdresser with botched...

One requires a conservatory! Wills and Kate set to join...

Comments (34)
Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Report comment Musterion, Manama, 6 minutes ago Newsflash - reading DM health reports is very likely to give you dementia, cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc. etc.

1 2 Click to rate Report comment BisonJones, London, England, 2 hours ago Boring.....that's the seventh story you've published in the past 3 weeks that brings it to people's attention what might increase their chances of getting Dementia. At this rate it seems nearly everything can increase the chances. Find another story DM!!

0 29 Click to rate

Report comment HelenS70, Cwmafan, United Kingdom, 2 hours ago I can't remember my gran ever having a lie in or my grandfather, both very active right up to age 90! Yet another scare mongering story!

10 11 Click to rate Report comment surreygirl, Surrey, 2 hours ago

Nine hours a night? Good grief I'd have to go to bed at 9pm to get that! It's now 7.45 on Saturday and I'm about to get up - that's nearly a two hour lie in and it's been wonderful!

0 19 Click to rate Report comment C Nancy, St. Helens, United Kingdom, 2 hours ago In the last year DM ,you have advised me that I am going to increase my risk of dementia as I have had a hysterectomy complete with removal of my ovaries,because I am middle aged and under a lot of stress and NOW because I languish in bed for an extra hour or two at the weekend.Does that treble my chances,does it mean I will decline even earlier or is it perhaps a load of bull?

1 34 Click to rate Report comment Awake, Peterborough - uk, 2 hours ago Everything we do is now going to kill you . No wonder we're all depressed . How about writting a nice story for a change ! .

0 37 Click to rate Report comment AnotherAnnie, Richmond TX, 2 hours ago Yes, and blinking too. Very dangerous behavior that should be avoided at all costs! Lol!

0 22 Click to rate Report comment FedUpUK, Manchester, 2 hours ago Why is it on workdays I want to lie in,but at weekends I'm up with the lark?Infuriating body clock!

0 20 Click to rate Report comment Jakey, Bas, United Kingdom, 2 hours ago Where do you get these stories from ??? This is a web-site not a newspaper where you have to fill pages with worthless drivel......

0 13 Click to rate Report comment Alice, Peaks, 2 hours ago As a mother of a 4yr old and a 7 month old.. I'm safe!

0 15 Click to rate

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now Like MailOnline Today's headlines Most Read Three-year-old girl whose brain forgets to tell her to BREATHE prepares to go home from Great Ormond Street for the first time Power really DOES go to the head: Expert says that egos of Thatcher and Blair were reflected in their self-obsessed language 'An eye infection nearly killed me': Teenage swimmer has no idea how he caught infection that spread to his BRAIN How too MUCH sleep can make you ill: People who get more than 10 hours a night have an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity Mother's pride: Julie tried for a baby for five years and finally succeeded... by giving up bread The cure for teen obesity? Eating FIVE times a day: Small, regular meals prevent weight gain even in those with genetic fatness 25st woman who lost TEN dress sizes after taking up running is set to complete half marathon this weekend Walking an hour a day can cut risk of breast cancer: Brisk stroll can reduce chance in over-50s by 14% The rise of ANTI-Viagra: Drug that prevents premature ejaculation takes U.S. by storm 'I don't need a pub - I've got a brewery in my BELLY': Teetotaller wakes up with hangover each day because of rare digestive disorder Struggling with that high-brow novel? Keep going: It'll make you better at understanding others Men over 50 are STILL ignorant of the cancer signs and refuse to go to the doctor MORE HEADLINES Father gives up job to research cure for rare disease that is turning his sons' bones, eyeballs and sweat BLACK The rise of ANTI-Viagra: Drug that prevents premature ejaculation takes U.S. by storm IVF babies 'are a third more likely to develop childhood cancer' How a lie-in could raise your risk of dementia: Lounging in bed too often 'can speed up memory loss' 'I don't need a pub - I've got a brewery in my BELLY': Teetotaller wakes up with hangover each day because of rare digestive disorder The cure for teen obesity? Eating FIVE times a day: Small, regular meals prevent weight gain even in those with genetic fatness Could breast cancer soon be treated with a NIPPLE injection? Technique reduces side effects and is more effective 'We thought it was just post-natal depression': Tragedy of mother of two who was diagnosed with dementia aged just TWENTY-NINE The champagne cream that promises to banish wrinkles and brighten skin tone Terminally ill father, 32, fulfils his three dying wishes with just FOUR days to spare Power really DOES go to the head: Expert says that egos of Thatcher and Blair were reflected in their self-obsessed language Walking an hour a day can cut risk of breast cancer: Brisk stroll can reduce chance in over-50s by 14% MOST READ IN DETAIL Follow @MailOnline

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group Associated Newspapers Ltd